Carrier rod driving mechanism for knitting machines



y 5, 1953 a. BlTZER ET AL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7Sheets-Sheet l 1 M 5 0 4' 51 e Z FIE--l- 1511 I w v v T i0 Z5 j z 5 55Henry C. P

C' BY 'harlesgj'gi e CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINESFiled June 7, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 5, 1953 G. BITZER ETAL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7Sheets-Sheet 3 May 5, 1953 G. BITZER ET AL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7Sheets-Sheet 4 I o 00 III T (01016 '5 m 3 1077/1/66 wwawwm 102 lNvEgqToRGafilob Brijer, Henry C.

Char .s' yfg 0; BY M y 5, 1953 cs. BITZER ETAL 2,637,183

. CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 19517 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR May 5, 1953 G. BITZER ET AL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951'7 Sheets-Sheet 6 y 5, 1953 G. BlTZER ETAL 2,637,183

CARRIER ROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed June 7, 1951 7Sheets-Sheet '7 .11 551 JM 1& 56 5151 16 .51 F1E- E 4L 5 126 .60 H 0 000 a 55 1 5 4w 1% 4 111 14 aamozwa'i'gsz Patented May 5, 1953 CARRIERROD DRIVING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING 'MACHINES Gottlob Bitzer, LincolnPark, Henry C. Pingel, Wyomissing, and Charles R. Fegley, Laureldale,Pa., assignors to Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pa., a corporationof Pennsylvania Application June 7, 1951, Serial No. 230,304

23 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a friction box drive in a full-fashionedknitting machine.

The ordinary full-fashioned knitting machine feeds yarnto be knit intofabric by means of one or more yarn carriers which are reciprocatedparallel to integrally mounted banks of alined needles. carriers, layingyarn across the full width of the fabric, are'driven by friction boxeshaving frictional engagement with a full speed friction box rod and thereinforcing carriers are driven by the same or other friction boxeshaving frictional engagement with a slow speed friction box rod. Each ofthe friction box rods has a greater traverse than the yarn carrier itdrives, the path of the latter being limited by stops carried by nutsmounted on threaded spindles or worms which are rotated automatically aspart of fashioning operations. Therefore, during the latter portion ofeach stroke of the friction box rods, the rods slide through thefriction boxes while the boxes are stationary. It is essential that theboxes and When in use, the main yarn carrier or.

a yarn carrier which does not depend entirely on frictional engagementbetween two members for its effect. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for reciprocatinga friction box which is associated with a retarding or shock absorbermeans in such a way that the desired timing of the two functions ismaintained.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the illustrative and practicalembodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, theinvention comprises the novel method steps, elements, features ofconstructionand combination of parts in cooperative relation ship, ashereinafter pointed out in the claims.

particularly those driving the main yarn carriers start to movesimultaneously with the full speed rod at each reversal of the movementof the rod in order to maintain the boxes in timed relation to otherparts of the machine. Therefore, in order to prevent or reduce to aminimum slippage of the boxes on the full speed rod at the start of eachmovement of the boxes the frictional grip ofthe boxes on the rod must bequite strong with the F result that the relative sliding movementbetween the boxes and rod when the boxes are stationary causes a highrate of wear and overheating of the parts. In fact, it is ordinary tocool the rods by circulating liquid therethrough.

N In addition to the problem of quick starting of the friction boxesdriving the main yarn carriers, there is the problem of stopping them.Un-

less special means is provided to slow the boxestween the boxes and thefull speed friction, box

rod, has been suflicient to frequently throw the shock absorbers out ofproper timing with consequent reduction or loss of their desiredfunctions. I

It is anobject of the present invention to pro:

vide a means for reciprocating a friction box for In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a fullfashioned knitting machine towhich the invention has been applied the View being taken on a verticalplane transverse to the length of the machine, near its center andlooking from the left of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation on a reduced scale compared to Fig. 1 of aportion of the machine near its center, parts being omitted for purposesof illustration;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of that part of the machine shown in Fig. 2indicated by the arrows 3--3 on Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a front elevational view of the portion of the machineshown inFig. 1 looking substantially in the direction of the arrows 44 on saidfigure;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the mechanism of Fig. 4, looking in thedirection of the arrows 5-5 parts being omitted for purposes of clarityof illustration;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on the line66 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 'i--l ofFig. 4 looking in the'direction of the arrows, certain of the partsbeing shown in elevation;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail View of a portion of the mechanism shown atthe upper left of Fig. 2 and enlarged relative to Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is an end'elevational View of the mechanism of Fig.8, looking inthe direction of the arrows 99 and enlarged relative to Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail View taken substantially on the line Ill-l0 of Fig.9, looking in the direction of the arrows, certain of the parts being inelevation and others in section; M

Fig. 11 is an elevation of parts shown in Fig. 10

3 looking in the direction of the arrows HH in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a plan view on a much enlarged scale of the portion of theapparatus shown at the upper left of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a plan view on a much enlarged scale of the portion of theapparatus shown in Fig. 2 and lying substantially between the arrows I3-| 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line l4l4of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the linel5--l5 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a detail view similar to a portion of Fig. 3 showing one ofthe stops for a friction box;

Fig. 17 is a detail plan view of the friction box arrangement shown inFig. 2 and the stops therefor and including the stop shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an enlarged detail view of certain of the parts shown in Fig.3, the parts being shown in different positions relative to Fig. 3;

Fig. 19 is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 18 but with the parts indifferent positions relative to Fig. 18; and

Figs. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 are diagrammatic views showing the relativepositions assumed by the parts of the apparatus according to the presentinvention just before the start, during and just after the end of adriving movement of a yarn carrier rod.

In the drawings and description, only the means necessary to a completeunderstanding of the invention are specifically set forth; furtherinformation as to the construction and operation of other related, usualand well known knitting machine elements, etc., may be found in one ormore of the following publications:

1. Pamphlet entitled-Full-Fashioned Knitting Machines-published andcopyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, Reading, Pennsylvania, in1920.

2. Four Catalogs entitled-The Reading' Full-Fashioned Knitting MachineParts Catalog-published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine Works, in1929, 1935, 1940 and 1947, respectively.

3. Booklet entitled-The Reading High Production Full-Fashioned KnittingMachine-- which, forming a supplement to the above noted 1940 PartsCatalog of the Textile Machine Works, is a publication of the TextileMachine Works. copyrighted by the latter in 1490.

4. Pamphlet entitled-Knitting Machine Lecturespublished by theWyomissing Polytechnic Institute, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, in 1935.

A method of knitting a stocking within the invention includesreciprocating an operating friction box mounted on a friction box rod ofa fullfashioned knitting machine by applying a sufficient acceleratingforce to the friction box at the beginning of each yarn laying stroke ofthe box, in addition to the force generated by friction between the rodand the box, to prevent substantial slippage between the box and therod, continuing the application of force from said source to said box inthe initial direction at least until the box has attained a speed atwhich the source ceases to accelerate the box, interrupting or reducingthe application or flow of force from said source to the box before thebox reaches the end of its stroke irrespective of the length of strokeof the box, retarding the box before it reaches the end of its stroke,repeating said steps for the reverse movement of the box, and continuingto repeat said steps throughout the knitting of a major portion of thestocking. Also, it is a feature of the present invention to mount thedriving box on the friction box rod much more loosely than is nowordinarily done to reduce the friction with consequent reduction in theheating and wear on the box and rod. This is permissible because asource of accelerating force other than thefriction box rod is availableto start the box at the beginning of each of its strokes.

The apparatus shown in the drawings comprises portions of afull-fashioned knitting machine to which the features of my apparatusinvention have been applied or in which said features have beenincorporated. Said apparatus includes, in addition to the ordinaryfriction box and reciprocating friction box rod, a bar member connectedto the friction box rod or coulier cam to reciprocate with the boxand ahead mounted on said member together with an automatic clutch meansconnecting said head to said mem- A} bar at the start of each stroke of'therod, the

connection being firm enough to prevent substantial slippage of the headon the member: Also, means, preferably cam controlled, are provided toact on the clutch means to release the head from its driving member.Preferably this clutch releasing means is combined with a means actingas a shock absorber to slow the head and box. In this case, two camcontrolled blocks are used, one on each side of the head. A connectionbetween the head and the friction box having no more than a slight lostmotion serves to accelerate the box at the beginning of a stroke and toslow it down toward the end of a stroke to prevent shock. Preferably, asecond friction box is provided fixed to said connection so as to avoidor prevent lost motion therebetween to ensure'that no chatter will occurdue to repeated disconnection and reconnection of said automatic clutchin the interval between the initial disconnection of such clutch and thefinal stopping of the friction box at the end of a stroke. Owing to theacceleration of the box through said con nection, it is permissible tomount the .box much looser on its rod than is ordinarily done.Preferably, in addition to the ordinary end stops for the yarn carrierrods and which also act to limit the stroke of the friction box, endstops for the friction box are provided which are movable together withthe end stops for the yarn carrier rods. The cam for controlling thereleasing means for the head clutchand for slowing the head preferablyis reciprocatory and, in this case, moves at about one-half the; speedof the slur cam and the high speed friction box rod.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a main cam shaft is shown at 25.The knitting needles 26, together with their cooperating knittingelements such as'sinkers 23, dividers 29 and jacks 39, are all operatedfrom the cam shaft 25 by means which may be of known types, and aresupported in a framework of which transverse center frame 3|, front beam32, back beam 34, center bed 38 and front bed or table 33 are usualfeatures. Yarn to be'knit by the needles is fed by yarn carriers, one ofwhich is shown at 4!]. Each yarn carrier is fixed to a yarn carrier rod42, nine of which are shown. Friction boxes are provided for drivingrods 42 one of such boxes being shown at 44 in Figs. 2 and 1'7. Eachfriction box 44 has a slide 46 best shown in Figs. 1 and 17 and fixed towhich is a handle 4! by which the slide 46 may be moved'to engage a dog49 on a desired-one of rods to reciprocate the rod between end stops 48,diagrammatically shown in Figs. 20 to 24. mounted on nuts 50, which arecarried in turn by threaded spindles 52 forming parts of automaticfashioning means by which the spindles 52 are turned at each fashioningoperation to move the end stops 48, thereby varying the length of strokeof the yarn carrier and the width of the fabric. The means for turningspindles 52 is not shown but may be of an ordinary type.

The friction box 44 for driving the yarn carriers 4|] is shown mountedon two reciprocatory rods, a high speed rod 55 and a low or slow speedrod 56. Box 44 has two handles 51 and 58 whereby it may be frictionallyengaged with either of the rods 55 and 56 as desired. Power forreciprocating rods 55, 56 is taken from the main cam shaft 25 by a jackshaft 69 shown in Fig. 2. A coulier cam 62 on shaft 60 reciprocates afloating link 64 in opposite directions, as viewed in Fig. 2. At oneend, link 64 is pivoted to a lever 66 which is mounted for oscillatorymovement on shaft 68 carried on the back beam 34. At its other end, link64 is pivoted to an oscillatory lever I having a fixed pivot 12 at itsupper end. Lever 66 operates the high speed rod 55 through a link 14pivotally connected to both the upper end of lever 66 and a head 16fixed to rod 55.

The low speed rod 56 is operated from lever 19 through a linkagebeginning at a pivot pin 18-on lever and a link 80 only one end of whichis shown. This is for the reason that the functions performed by the lowspeed rod in part have no connection with the present invention and inpart have been taken over by novel mechanism according to the presentinvention and which will be hereinafter described.

In order to facilitate movement of the friction box 44 with the rod 55and to prevent relative movement between the box and rod at thebeginning of a stroke of the rod, driving means additional to the rod 55is shown, such means including clamps 82 on rod 55, the clamps beingfastened by bolts or otherwise to a driving member or bar 84 (Figs. 2,8, 9 and 12) which is thereby constrained to reciprocate at the samespeed as the head 16. Mounted on bar 84 for movement with the bar andfor movement rela-' tive thereto is a driving member or head 86 havingreleasable clutch means 88 (see Figs. 10 and 11) associated therewithfor alternately clutching and unclutching the driving member 85 to andfrom the bar 84. Said clutch means comprises a block 99 which is'shownin Figs. 10 and 14 as inserted in a recess in the head 86 and boltedtherein in contact with one face of bar 84. Block 99 has recesses 92 and93 therein withopen sides against the bar 84. Recesses 92 and 9 3'arealike except that each is. reversed relative to the other. The walls ofrecesses 92 and 93 opposite the bar 84, see Fig. 19), are inclined awayfrom the bar, the inclination, in the case of each recess, being towardthe center of head 86. In each recess is one of a pair of rollertype'clutch elements 94. It will be seen that gravity tends-to causerollers 94 to move away from the surface of bar 84 but that thistendency is opposed by a pair of spring pressed plungers 95 which tendto keep the rollers normally in contact with both the surface of bar 84and the bottoms of recesses 92 and 93. Consequently whenever bar 84begins to move in either of the directions indicated by the arrows A- orB in Fig. 10, the'contact between the bar End stops 48 are and oneroller 94 moves the roller to wedge it tightly between the bar and theblock 90, thereby clutching head 86 firmly but releasably to the bar,whereby the head is adapted to accelerate one or a number of boxesoperating yarn carrier rods. The same movement of bar 84 which causesone roller 94 to clutch the head 86 to the bar moves the other rollerclear of clutching engagement. Block also has two plungers or tappetpieces 96, between the ends of the block and the rollers for movingroller clutch members 94 when it is desired to release the head 86 frombar 84. Means for operating the tappet pieces 96 also forms, in themechanism shown herein, a part of a means for retarding the movement ofhead 86 when unclutched and will be described below. 1

Means for transmitting an accelerating force from head 86 to africtionbox 44 is shown as comprising a rod 98, and. a drivingconnection between the head 88 and rod 98. The driving connection, asbest shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 14, includes a pair of collars I90 onthe rod and a tongue I02 mounted on head 86 in a way to maintain thetongue in substantially fixed relation to the head, and extendingbetween said collars to transmit movement from the head to the rod ineither direction depending on the direction of motion of the bar 84 andthe head. Tongue I02 is shown as forming the lower end of a member 594pivotally carried on a stud I06 secured in the head 85. The member I94is maintained in the position of Fig. 11 by a pin Illl', one end ofwhich is fixed in anextension I08 of the member and the other end fixedin the driving head 86, as shown in Fig. 14. An over-the-center springIII] is connected between an extension H2 "of the member I94 and thedriving head 86. The pin I81 not only acts to hold the member I04 in'theposition of Fig. 11 as hereinbefore set forth but also acts as a safetybetween the driving head 86 and the rod 98, the pin being an intentionalweak spot easily sheared in case movement of either the head or rodbecomes obstructed in relation to the other. Upon shearing of the pinII]? the member I84 will be rotated either clockwise or counterclockwiseabout the stud I06, depending upon the direction of travel of the driving head 86, thereby removing the tongue I92 from its position betweenthe collars I90. Upon movement of the member I94 either clockwise orcounterclockwise about the stud I96, the spring i II] will draw eitherthe extension I08 of the lower tongue portion I82 against a stop pin H4and maintain the tongue out of the path of the collars I99 until themachine is brought to a stop and the diflioulty causing the pin shearingaction is corrected.

The driving connection between rod 98 and box 44 isbest shown in Fig. 17and includes a pair of blocks I I 8 fixed to'the rod and a tongue I I8movably connected to the box 44 but lying, when the box is in use,between the blocks M6 to receive driving impulses therefrom. As shown inFigs. 17 and 20. slight clearances I20 are provided between the blocks II6 and the tongue I I8 for purposes hereinafter set forth. The tongue H8is hinged or otherwise movably connected to the friction box 44 so thatthe box can be disconnected from the rod 98 when it is desired to moveit out of the knitting field to take it out of action. The tongue I i8must also be disconnected from the rod 96 when the box 44 is connectedto the slow speed friction box rod 56.

While the yarn carrier rods such as 42,'Fig. l, andthe carrierirod endstops 48, diagrammatieally shown in 'Figs; 20 1:024; inclusive, togetherlimit the throw of the friction-boxes 44, it is preferred to induce thepressure exerted by the friction box on the carrier rods, after the rodsare against the end stops, by distributing the total pressure overadditional surfaces such as the stops I22, I23 for the box per se. StopsI22 and 123, Figs. 16 and ii, are shown as mounted on rods or bars I25,I26 respectively which are connected. to move with the nuts 52 and theend stops 48 carried on the nuts. The tongue I58 therefore is adapted tocontact one of its stops 22 and I23 at the same instant that the yarncarrier rod 42 contacts a stop whereby the pressure on the yarn carrierrod is reduced.

The ordinary full-fashioned knitting machine as now manufactured alsoincludes shock absorbing means and it is preferred to combine such shockabsorbing means with the driving head forming part of the friction boxaccelerating means disclosed herein. In the arrangement shown for thispurpose. the means for throwing out the clutch to release the drivingmember 86 from bar 64 is also employed. For absorbing shock and forreleasing the clutch, blocks i28, i 29 (Figs. 3, 4, '7, 18 and 19) areemployed which are slidably mounted on a fixed horizontal rod or bar I32adjacent the bar 84 for driving member 86. Blocks I 28 and 829 arearranged at pposite ends of the path of movement of member 86 as viewedfrom the front of the machine. The positions of blocks i26 and E29 arecontrolled by the rods I25 and I26, respectively, which in turn arecarried by the end stop nuts 50 as previously explained, the blocksbeing connected to the rods as hereinafter set forth. The shockabsorbing action of the blocks I28 and I29 on the driving member 86 isgoverned by a cam I34 which is reciprocated at approximately half thespeed of bar 84 and friction rod 55 by an oscillating lever I36 (Fig. l)which is driven in turn by a link I38 (Fig. 2) pivoted to lever I36 atpoint I39 and to lever 16 at point 540. Lever I36 is connected to camI34 by a means comprising a link I42 (Figs. 2, 4 and 6) pivoted to theupper end of the lever, the other end of link I42 being pivoted at I43to a head I45 slidably mounted on a fixed rod or bar I45 and connected.to cam I34 by a pair of rigid arms 48, best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, theend of arms I48 being shown bolted to the cam.

The cam I34 has a low portion I50 and high end portions II connected tolow portion I50 by inclined portions I52 and. it controls blocks I 26and I29 by means of lever systems I54 which are similar except that oneis reversed with respect to the other. Each of said lever systems isconnected to a block I28 or I29 by means of a link such as I56, bestshown in Fig. 4. Each link I56 is pivoted to a lever arm I51 fixed toone end of a shaft I58 (Fig. 4) and which is journalled in a right handhead or block I so or a left hand head or block IIiI (Fig. 4) slidablymounted on a fixed bar I52. The other end of each shaft I58 has fixedthereto a second lever arm I63 at the free end of which is journalled aroller type cam follower I65. As shown in Figs. 4 and to 24, when a camfollower IE5 is on a high portion I5I of cam I34, the block I 28 or I29is moved toward the driving head 86. This is the condition as to blockI28 shown in Fig. 4. As the cam I34 moves toward the right in thisfigure, the high portions iEI of the cam being level and of some length,the block I28 remains stationary for a time while the head 86 approachesit.

. As cam I34 continues to move towardthe right.

the follower 465 begins to move'down the in: clined portion I52connecting the high and low portions I5I and I56, respectively andthereby moves the block I28 in the same direction as the driving member86 but at a slightly slower speed than the driving member. Shortly afterthe block I28 starts moving a part of the driving member 86 overtakesand engages a part on the block, as shown in Fig. 18. As is clear fromFigs. 10 and 11 the above referred to part on the driving member 86 isthe tappet 96 which projects from the end of member 86 and which isadapted to engage an adjustable contact screw I61 in a turret likeportion I68 of the block I28. As the tappet 96 continues to move at afaster speed than the block I 28 the end of tappet 96 forces the rightroller 34 leftward out of its wedging and clutching position to releasethe head 86 from the bar 64. Immediately upon release of the rightroller 94 the driving head 86 is carried along by the rod 88 which isdriven at this time by an auxiliary friction box I12 on the friction boxrod 55. The auxiliary box I12 is connected to the rod 98 by one of thecollars H6 and a collar I13 on the rod, as shown in Figs. 17 and 20 to24, which are placed on each side of and in juxtaposed rela* tion to atongue I15 on the auxiliary friction box so as to prevent lost motionbetween the box and the rod 98. The driving head 86 continues to move ata faster speed than the block I28 through the auxiliary friction box I12until the head engages stop screw I'll) also adjustably carried inturret portion I68 of the blockv I28 (Fig. 19) after which the head 86is carried along by the box I 12, as hereinafter set forth, at the speedof the block. Asthe speed of the block I28 is reduced, the speed of therod 93 and the auxiliary friction box I12 is also reduced and thefriction box 44 which is still moving with and at the same speed as thefriction rod 55, immediately overtakes and engages the right collar H6.Engagement of the box 44 with the collar II6 reduces the speed of thebox 44 to that of the rod 98.

Further, as follower I on head I60 moves down the inclined portion I52of cam member I34, shaft I58 and lever arms I51 and I63 turn graduallyin the counterclockwise direction, thereby reducing the speed of blockI28, the head 86, the rod 98, friction boxes 44 and I12 and the carrierrod 42. This reduction in speed continues and as the follower approachesthe low portion of the cam, the system including said head 86, frictionbox 44 and carrier rod 42 is moving very slowly as the tongue II8 of thebox 44 contacts and is stopped by the stop I23 and the carrier rodengages its end stop 48. The relationship is the same between head 86,screws I61 and I10 in a turret like portion I69 of the block I29 andstop I22 when the member approaches block I29.

Throughout the accelerating portion of the stroke of head 86 from leftto right, illustrated in Figs. 20 to 24 inclusive, the stress in rod 98is one of compression due to pressure of tongue II8 against the leftblock I I 6 as illustrated in Fig. 21. After the friction box 44 andcarrier rod 42 reach full speed, there is little stress if any in rod 98because the friction box and the driving head 86 move at the same speeduntil head 86 contacts bolt I16 and block I28 at which time the stressin rod 98 changes to one of tension due to the pressure of the tongue II8 against the right or leading block II6, as illustrated in Fig. 22. Atthe moment tongue I I8 engages stop I23, however, the cam I34 stillpermits right hand cam follower I65, controlling block I28 to settle .9slightly toward the low portion I50 of the cam. This final movement ofthe follower I85 is caused by the auxiliary friction box I12, on thehigh speed friction box rod 55, which continues to apply pressure to therod 98 as long as the rod 55 continues to move in the same direction. Asshown in Figs. 20 and 24, when the left or right .follower I65 is inengagement with the low portion I50 of the cam I34 which corresponds tothe limit of movement of the rod 98 in the left andright directions,respectively, there is a slight clearance between the collars H6 at bothsides of the tongue I I8. This slight clearance between the collars H6and tongue II8 permits the auxiliary friction box I72 to maintainpressure against rod 98 and thereby hold the rod at the limit of itsmovement in either direction until the direction of its movement isreversed by the cam 62 and the associated parts, as hereinafter setforth.

In order to bias cam follower I65 toward the cam I34, the lever arms IIhave extensions .I'II

which have noses I18 formed thereon. The noses I19 are normally incontact with the closed ends of spring pressed hollow plungers I80 (Fig.mounted in portions I82 of blocks I60. A compression spring I84 abutsthe closed end of each plunger I80 and one end of a bolt I86 which isadjustably mounted in the closed end of member I82 so as to vary thepressure of the spring against the closed end of member I80 and theextension Ill of the lever I51. Further, the extension Ill of each leverI51 has a lateral extension I88 (Figs. 7 and 13) in which is a stop boltI90 adapted to engage a portion of the heads I60 and I 6| to limit thecounter-clockwise or clockwise movement of the right and left levers I63respectively, if for some reason the levers I83 become misadjustedrelative to the shafts I58.

It will be noted that for purposes of illustration the diagrammaticFigs. 20 to 24 show the lever systems I54 as connected directly to rodsI and I26. However, the lever systems I54 and heads I60 and I6I on whichthey are direct- 1y mounted are actually supported for sliding movementby the fixed bar I62 shown in Figs. 5-7 but which is not shown in'Figs-20-24 and the bars I25 and I26 for moving systems I54 as Well as thestops I22 and I23 from the fashioning nuts 50 are shown in their actualrelative "proportions in Figs. 47, inclusive, 16 and 17. As -shown inFigs. 4 and 5, rod I25 is connected to the left hand head IBI by meansof a bracket I92 the rod also being connected to stop I22 for thefriction box 44, as hereinbefore set out.

Bracket I92 is shown in Fig. 5 as having a portion in sliding engagementwith the rod I26 for supporting the end of rod I25 (Fig. 16). As

shown in Fig. 17, rod I25 is connected to move the :stop I22 also but,as shown in Figs. 5 and 16, rod I25 is interrupted between left handblock IEI and stop I22 to avoid a structural feature of the a portionproviding a sliding support on the rod I29. Rod I84 connects at itsright end to the portion of rod I25 beyond the interruption through abracket I98 which also has a portion for sliding engagement with the rodI26, the

bracket I98 also having the stop I22 for box 44 formed thereon. Rod I28has a bracket 200 se- "cured thereto (Figs. 4, 7 and 16) by-meansofwhich the rod is connected to the right hand block I60, the bracket 208being of the same general type as bracket I92. Rod 426 has a bracket 20Isecured thereto which also has a portion slidably engaged with the rodI25, the bracket 20I also having the stop H23 formed thereon. Rod I26connects with the nut 50 for the end stops at the right hand end of themachirzie as shown in the diagrammatic views, Figs. 20- 4.

In addition to the rods previously mentioned, there is shown in Figs. 4,5, 6 and 7 a fixed rod 202 used as a guide to prevent heads I45, I28 andI29 from turning on their supporting rods, head I45 having fork portions284 (Figs. 4 and 6) for this purpose embracing rod 202 and heads I28 andI29 having forks 295 and 208, respectively, embracing rod 202 for thesame purpose.

The manner of operation of the mechanism herein disclosed will beobvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description butthe operation of the mechanism will be summarized for purposes ofconvenience, as follows:

The member 88 for assisting the friction box 44 in driving the carrierrod for laying the body or other yarn is automatically engaged by clutch88 to the reciprocating driving bar 84 at the start of each stroke ofthe bar to transmit accelerating forces to the box 44. The driving barhas a longer throw or stroke than the stroke of the box 44 and the boxtherefore must be unclutched automatically from the driving bar as thebox approaches the end of a stroke and is brought nearly to rest beforecontacting a limit stop I22 or I23, the driving bar continuing to theend of its path and then beginning its return stroke. On the returnstroke of the driving bar 84, it is again clutched automatically to themember 86 to initiate a return stroke or movement of the member and thefriction box without material or substantial slippage between the memberand the driving bar.

As shown in Fig. 20 the friction box 44 and driving head 86 are at theleft end of their movement from right to left which also corresponds tothe starting position of the parts from left to right. In this positionboth right and left collars H6 are spaced from the tongue H8, the spacesbeing indicated at I20. As the cam 62 reverses the movement of thefriction box rod 55, in the direction from left to right as viewed inFig. 2 and 20 to 24, the bar 84 and cam I34, are also moved toward theright, the bar 84 moving at the same speed as the friction box rod 55.Immediately upon movement of the bar 84, the right hand roller 94 (Fig.10) is wedged between the bar and the inclined surface of the recess 92and the driving head 88 is carried along with and at the same speed asthe bar. Movement of driving head 86 toward the right causes the tongueI02. of the member I04 to bear against the right collar I00 (Fig. 10) todrive the rod 98 with the head. Movement of the rod 98 engages the leftcollar II6 with the tongue I I8 of the friction box 44 to thereby carrythe friction box and carrier rod 42 along with the rod 98 as shown inFig. 21. Also as shown in Fig. 21, the cam I34 is moving in the samedirection but, as hereinbefore set forth, at a slower speed than thefriction box rod 55, the right hand high portion I5I of the cammaintaining the right hand lever system I54 and the block I28 stationaryas the driving head 86 approaches the block I28.

Upon continued movement of the friction box rod 55, the driving head 86and rod 98, and the cam I34 toward the right, the follower I65 of the l1 right hand lever system I54 starts downthe right inclined surface I52of cam 13 3 which starts to move the block E28 toward the right but at aslightly slower speed than the speed at which the driving head istravelling. Continued movement of the head 88 at full speed causes thetappet 93 to overtake and engage the screw H51 in the slower movingblock I28. As the head continues to move the tappet forces the rightroller 34 out of its wedging position to disengage the drivingconnection between the head and the bar 84. As the parts continue tomove toward the right the auxiliary friction box $72, which is moving atfull speed with the friction box rod 55, pulls the driving member 86against the stop screw Ht through the connection of the box H2 with therod 98. The driving member 3%, rod Slit and friction box H2 thereupontravel at a slower speed as controlled by the cam I34. The friction box44, which is still travelling at the same speed as L It will be seen inFig. 23 that at the time of engagement of the tongue H8 with the stop:23 and the carrier rod G2 with the stop 38, the right hand follower IEhas not engaged the lon portion I50 of the cam 13A. At this time theauxiliary friction box H2 continues to exert pressure on the rod 93,toward the right to, thereby move the right follower 65 against the lowportion 55%. This final movement of the follower H55 causes both rightand left collars HE. to be spaced from the tongue H8, as indicated at 5%in Fig. 2d. The friction box rod 55 continues toward the right tocomplete its movement, the movement of the rod 55 then being reversed bythe cam 62 and the cycle of movements illustrated in to 24, inclusive,is. repeated while the parts are moving from right to left.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the driving head acts as apositive means to assist the friction box 54 in overcoming theinertia ofthe carrier rod as it is accelerated at the start of its movement andthereby maintain a predetermined relation between the box and the meansfor reducing the speed of the-box and carrier rod near the end of theirmovement. Further, that a much lighter frictional engagement may bemaintained between the friction boxes 46 and H2 and the friction rod tocomplete the stroke of the carrier rod, which will greatly reduce thewear and the heat generated as the rod 55 continues to slide through theboxes after the boxes have been stopped as hereinoefore set forth.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described by whichthe above results are obtained, can be changed and modified in variousways without departure from the invention herein disclosed andhereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1-. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination with afriction box rod, yarn carrier rods and a friction box therefor on saidfriction box rod, of means for reciprocating said friction boxcomprising in addition tosaid friction box rod, a head mounted forreciprocation parallel to the friction box rod, a connection b;-

tween said headand the friction box for transmitting a driving forcefrom the head to. the box, means for intermittently driving said headand means for disconnecting said head from its driving means andretarding the head as the friction box approaches. the end of its.stroke.

2. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forth inclaim 1 and in which the means for driving the head includes a memberwhich reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the strokeof the yarn, carrier rods and a disconnectible clutch between saidmember and the head.

3. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination asv set forthin claim 1- and in which the means for driving the head includes amemher which reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than thestroke of the yarn carrier rods, and a disconnectible clutch betweensaid member and the head which reconnects the head to the member of thedriving means; automatically upon reversal of its direction of movementby the interaction of the reciprocating member and a portion of theclutch.

4. In a full-fashioned knitting machine the combination as. set forth inclaim 1 and in which the means for driving the head includes. a mom..-berwhich reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than thestroke of the yarn carrier rods, and a disoonnectibl'e clutch betweensaid member and the head, and. themeans for disconnecting the head fromthe reciprocating member includes a pair of contact blocks havingalternately part time contact with said clutch means to release the headfrom said member and having contact with the head, and a cam means tocontrol the movement of the blocks to thereby control the motion ofthehead and the box after the clutch means has released the head.

5. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forth inclaim 1 and in which the means for driving; the head includcs a memberwhich reciprocates constantly through a distance greater than the strokeof the yarn carrier rods, and a disconnectible clutch between saidmember and the head, and the. means for dis,- connecting the head fromthe reciprocating member includes a pair of. contact blocks havingalternately part time contact with said clutch means to release the headfrom. said member and having also contact with the head, a cam means tocontrol the. movement. or the blocksto thereby control the motion ofthe, head, and the box after the clutch means has. released the head.the. cam means. includes. a reciprocating cam having. two high sectionsconnected by a, low section and moving at av lesser rate of speed thanthe. driving means, cam followers cooperating with said cam, leversystems on which. said followers arev journalled and which are.connected to the Contact blocks to determine the movement of the blockstogether with nuts for end stops, second blocks on which said leversystems are pivoted and. bars movable with said nuts, for moving. said.second blocks.

6. The combination with the friction, box rod and the friction box of afull-fashioned knitting machine of a friction. box accelerator memberreciprocating synchronouslywith. the friction box rod, a head contactwith said member, means to clutch said head. firmly to the member as themember and friction box rod initiate, a movement: in one direction andrelease it there,- from. the. rod. approaches a. pointy at which. its

'13 movementreverses, anda connection from, said head to the frictionbox. x 7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a rollerclutch means acts automatically to connect the head to the acceleratormember as the member reverses its direction.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reverses its direction together with a cam actuated memberfor releasing the clutch as the friction box approaches the end of astroke.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases theclutch as the friction box approaches the end of the stroke, and themeans for releasing the clutch also acts to slow the head and therebyacts as a shock absorber by slowing the friction box through theconnection between the head and the box.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases theclutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means forreleasing the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as ashock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connectionbetween the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated meansreciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the camactuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at timesthe follower is active to actuate the releasing means.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases theclutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the meanswhich releases the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts asa shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connectionbetween the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated meansreciprocates butYat a lower speed than the friction box, the camactuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at timesthe follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for movingend stops for fashioning and a connection between the nut and the axisof the cam follower to move the axis with the nut. I v

12. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reversesits direction, a oam actuated'member releases theclutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the meanswhich releases the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts asa shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connectionbetween the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated meansreciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the camactuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at timesthe follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for movingend stops for fashioning and a connection between the nut and the axisof the cam follower to move the axis with the nut, the nut has end stopsfor carrier rods'thereon, the connectionbet'ween the nut and the axis ofthe 14 cam followerhas a stop thereon and the friction box has a tonguefixed thereon arranged to contact said stop on the connection atapproximately the time the carrier rod contacts an end stop on the nut.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and'in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases theclutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the meanswhich releases the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts asa shock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connectionbetween the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuated meansreciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the camactuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at timesthe follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for movingend stops for fashioning, a connection between the nut and the axis ofthe cam follower to move the axis with the nut; the nut has end stopsfor carrier rods thereon, the connection between the nut and the axis ofthe cam follower has a, stop thereon, the friction box has a tonguefixed thereon arranged to contact said stop on the connection atapproximately the time the carrier rod contacts an end stop on a nut,and the connection between the head and friction box provides a lostmotion permitting the connection a relatively small movement after thefriction box has come to a stop.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 6 and in which a roller clutchmeans acts automatically to connect the head to the accelerator memberas the member reverses its direction, a cam actuated member releases theclutch as the friction box approaches the end of a stroke, the means forreleasing the clutch also acts to slow the head and thereby acts as ashock absorber by slowing the friction box through the connectionbetween the head and the box, the cam for the cam actuatedmeansreciprocates but at a lower speed than the friction box and the camactuated means includes a cam follower pivoted on an axis fixed at timesthe follower is active to actuate the releasing means, a nut for movingend stops for fashioning, a connection between the nut and the axis ofthe cam follower to move the axis with the nut, the nut has end stopsfor carrier rods thereon, the connection between the nut and the axis ofthe cam follower has a stop thereon, the friction box has a tongue fixedthereon arranged to contact said stop on the connection at approximatelythe time the carrier rod contacts an end stop on the nut, the connectionbetween the head and friction box provides a lost motion permitting theconnection a relatively small movement after the friction box has cometo a stop, and the connection between the head and the friction boxcomprises two stop blocks on opposite sides of the tongue and spacedapart a distance slightly greater than the width of the tongue in thedirection of motion of the friction box.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in which the means fordriving the headincludes a member which reciprocates constantly througha distance greater than the stroke of the yarn carrier rods, and adisconnectible clutch between said member and the head which is of theroller type and which reconnects the head to the member of the drivingmeans automatically upon reversal of its direction of movement accuseby' iinteraction between the reciprocating fmemberand a portion of theclutch.

16.'In a fulL-fashioned knitting machine, the Combination with a drivenmember of a reciproeating accelerator member, a head in contact withsaid member, automatic clutch means acting to clutch said head andmember firmly't'ogather as the accelerator member initiates a movementin one direction, a cam controlled means for acting on. said clutchmeans to release the headfroni the accelerator member and to slow thehead relatively to the member as the head approaches an end of a strokein said direction, and a connection to transmit an ac celeratingpressure from said head to the driven member as the head accelerates anda retarding pressure from the head to the driven membe]: as the headslows down.

17. In a. iull-fashioned knittingv machine, the combination as set forthin claim I6 and; in which the cam controlled means includes a camreciprocating parallel to the accelerator memher but at a slower rateor" speed and having high parts near its ends and a low part connectingsaid high parts, cam followers each passing from one of said high partsto said low part or the reverse as the head approaches an end of itspath, and pivoted levers on which said followers are journalled andwhich have operating connections with said clutch arranged to act one ata time to disconnect the clutch as the follower moves from a high to thelow part of the cam, said last named connections retarding the movementof the head after disconnecting the clutch.

l8-.. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, the combination as set forthinclaim 16 and in which the cam controlled. means includes a camreciprocating parallel to the accelerator member but at a slower rate ofspeed and having high parts near its ends and a low part connecting saidhigh parts, cam followers each passing from one of said high parts tosaid low part as the head approaches an end of its path, pivoted leverson which said followers are journall-ed which have operating connectionswith said clutch arranged to act one at atime to disconnect the clutchas the follower moves from a high to the low part of the cam, said lastnamed connections retarding the head after disconnecting the clutch,together with mounted to move each narrowing cycle and to be heldstationary during knitting cycles, end stops on said nuts, a barconnected to move with said nuts and supporting blocksconnected: tosaidbars on which the levers are pivoted 19 In a trill-fashionedknitting machine, the combination with a yarn carrier rod of areciproeating accelerator member, a head inx contact with said. member,a box member mounted to reciprocate parallel to and synchronously withsaid accelerator member and having a connector, adapted to be engagedwith said yarn car- .rier rod. to drive it when desired, stops for saidyarn carrier. rodand said box member, anautomatic c-lntch means actingto clutch said head and accelerator member firmly together as; themember and friction box initiate a movement in one direction, meansacting on said. clutch means to release it and including a ta-ppet pieceon the head. and a block member with: which the tappet piece contacts tomove the: tappet piece relative to the head and into position to releasethe clutch means, a connection. between said head and said box membervto transmitv ac gelerating and retarding. pressures from the head nutsto the. box member and carrier red. but provid: ing a limited lostmotionv between the connection and box member, and a box memberconnected to said connection without lost motion therebetween andoperated frictionally to reciprocate at the same number of strokes perminute as the head and acting through the connection to maintain thehead in constant position relatively to said blocl; member from the timethe clutch is released to cause said tappet piece to maintain the headunclutched until the accelerator member reverses its direction ofmovement.

20. In a full-fashionedv knitting machine, the combination with thefriction box rod, the yam carriers and box therefor on said friction:box rod, of means for reciprocating said box com prising, in. additionto said rod, a head mounted for reciprocation parallel to the rod, aconnection between said head and the box for trans initing a drivingforce from the head of the box, .means for intermittently driving saidhead, means for disconnecting said head from its driving means andretarding the head as the box approaches the end of its stroke, saidintermittent driving means including a member reciprocatingsynchronously with the friction rod, a roller type clutch actingautomatically to connect the head to said reciprocating member as themember reverses its direction, saidv connection including a. second rodand means providing a small amount of lost motion between. the secondrod and said friction box, and a second friction box connected to saidsecond rod to prevent lost motion there between.

21. in a full-fashioned knitting machine hav ing. a reciprocatingdriving member, a, head to be rcciprocated, and clutch on the head totransmit driving thrust from the driving member to the head, a combinedmeans for releasing the head from said member and slowingdown the headcomprising a sl-iclably mounted block, a pivoted lever system. conneotmito said blocl: at one endand having a cam follower journalled thereon atthe other end and a reciproca-ti-ng cam. cooperating with said followerhaving a straight high portion at one end and a straight low portionconnected to said high portion by an inclined portion,- said cam andlever system holding said block in the path of. the head and controllingthe block to contact and. release said clutch on the head and tothereafter slow the head to a standstill while the follower is movingdown said inclined portion of the cam. a 22. In a full-fashionedknitting machine hav mg a friction rod, a friction box on said rod,

' a yarn carrier rod connected to said box and end stops for said boxand carrier rod, means for accelerating the box and carrier rod to thespeed of said friction. rod comprising a driving head movable through agreater distance than said box and carrier rod, means connecting.thehead to said box to transmit a driving force from the head to thebox, means for intermittently driving said head, means for disconnectingsaid head from its driving, means, means for retarding said; head anddisconnecting means, and a second. friction box on said friction rod.for maintaining said head in contact with said disconnecting meansduring the retarding action to thereby retard said first box and carrierrod as said box and carrier rod approach saidend stops, said second boxcontinuing to move said head through said greater distance after saidfirst box and carrier rod engage said stops.

23;; In: a full-fashioned knitting machine hav- 17 ing a friction rod, afriction box on said rod, a yarn carrier rod connected to said box andend stops for said box and carrier rod, means for accelerating the boxand carrier rod to the speed of said friction rod comprising a drivinghead, means connecting said head to said box to transmit a driving forcefrom the head to the box, means for intermittently driving said head,means for disconnecting said head from its driving means, means forretarding said head and disconnecting means, and a second friction boxon said friction rod for maintaining said head in contact with saiddisconnecting means during the retarding action to thereby retard saidfirst box and carrier rod as said box and carrier rod approach said endstops.

GOTTLOB BITZER.

HENRY C. PINGEL.

CHARLES R. FEGLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number10 Number

